Filmstudy - Filmstudy is a sophisticated and comprehensive statistical analysis of the Ravens defense that incorporates a participation-by-play tracking system. This unique analysis is the brain child of the author and provides our readers with the real story behind the Ravens’ top end defensive results in the National Football League. Make Russellstreetreport.com the source for all of your Ravens football news and the forum to talk about what the Ravens fans want to hear most.

Lombardi’s Way - A column from the 24×7 founder that focuses on the Ravens, the NFL, Baltimore, the world of sports or life’s inspirations.

Battle Plans - During the season, you can expect to find thoughtful analysis in each of our Game Previews. We bring out the chalk and then talk X’s and O’s. In the offseason, Dev Panchwagh — The Scientist, digs beneath the surface and serves up insightful commentary on issues facing the Ravens and the NFL. School is in session!

OWINGS MILLS – Although Pro Bowl offensive guard Marshal Yanda returned to practice for the first time since suffering a rib contusion, he’s still officially listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Limited in practice Friday, Yanda is making progress.

“It felt all right, it felt OK,” said Yanda, who’s also dealing with a bruised thigh. “Just playing through the rib and the leg a little bit, but it felt all right. We’ve got 48 hours yet, but we’ll see what happens. I felt OK out there, so we’ll see what happens come Sunday. Still don’t know yet, we’ll see.”

Yanda said this is one of the most painful injuries he’s ever dealt with.

“I cut a guy on a screen and took a knee right in the ribs real bad, and then I got leg-whipped on a play, too,” Yanda said. “Between five plays I got leg-whipped and then got cut and took some knees on a screen. So it was a tough stretch there. I’m feeling a little better every day.

“The ribs are tough because they obviously hurt like hell on Sunday and I really couldn’t breathe well. My breathing is getting better, but I still feel them. I’m still dealing with them right now, so we’ll see.”

Ravens coach John Harbaugh was noncommittal on whether Yanda will be able to play Sunday after not finishing the game against the Cleveland Browns last weekend.

If Yanda can’t start, then Andre Gurode is slated to replace him.

“Marshal got out early and did some things,” Harbaugh said. “So, we’ll just have to see how that progresses.

Yanda said he felt like he needed to practice to have a chance at playing.

“If I wanted to give myself a legitimate shot of even thinking about playing Sunday, I felt like I had to at least do a little bit and see how it felt," he said.

If at all possible, Yanda said he prefers to play this week and not sit out until the playoffs.

“I’m not thinking about that,” he said. “I’m just thinking like another week. If I was good enough to go, I’d play. So we’ll see how it goes come Sunday.”

He returned to practice on a limited basis Friday after undergoing surgery eight days ago.

“Anquan was out here earlier, absolutely very encouraging,” Harbaugh said. “Those guys rehab hard. Anquan is a very tough guy. They want to do everything they can to play, and I think they are all doing everything they can to play as soon as they can.”

WILLIAMS NOT CLEARED: Starting cornerback Cary Williams still hasn’t been cleared for contact following his concussion last week, but is expected to play.

If Williams is unable to go, rookie Jimmy Smith would start in his place.

However, that’s not expected to happen.

“Cary has actually done really well,” Harbaugh said. “Cary has been limited in participation, but he looks pretty good right now. He has not been cleared as of yet, though, and it is a concussion. Cary is very tough.”

QUICK HITS: Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins is extremely difficult to block, recording eight sacks and two forced fumbles this season. He had one sack and six tackles against Baltimore earlier this season. “You’ve got to block him,” Harbaugh said. “You’ve got to block him really well. He can defeat pretty much any block. He’s playing at a very high level. He’s a second-year guy who is really emerging as one of the better tackles in the league.” … Harbaugh expressed no emotions when told the Bengals didn’t display other NFL scores at Paul Brown Stadium last week. “No, I couldn’t care less,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t care if they do.” … The Ravens are impressed with Bengals offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth, and for good reasons. Whitworth has allowed only four sacks all season. And Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs has just 1 ½ sacks against the Bengals since Cincinnati drafted Whitworth in the second round five years ago. “He’s solid,” Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano said. “You don’t see this guy get beat. He’s really, really steady. He’s hard. He’s a big man. He’s tough to get around, and once he gets his hands on you, it’s hard to beat him. He’s been really solid for them.” The Ravens regard Whitworth as underrated. “He’s funny because he doesn’t get a lot of respect,” outside linebacker Jarret Johnson said. “Nobody really talks about him and you watch him on tape and he just blocks everybody. Nobody beats him. So, he’s a really good player. I’ve got a lot of respect for him. He plays hard, not a dirty player. He just blocks people."

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About Aaron Wilson

Aaron Wilson covers the NFL for National Football Post as well as the Baltimore Ravens for The Carroll County Times and Ravens24x7.com. He has previously covered the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans and has covered the NFL since 1997. He has won several regional writing awards, including, most recently, Best Sports News Story for the state of Maryland in voting conducted by the Associated Press managing editors. More from Aaron Wilson

Filmstudy - Filmstudy is a sophisticated and comprehensive statistical analysis of the Ravens defense that incorporates a participation-by-play tracking system. This unique analysis is the brain child of the author and provides our readers with the real story behind the Ravens’ top end defensive results in the National Football League. Make Russellstreetreport.com the source for all of your Ravens football news and the forum to talk about what the Ravens fans want to hear most.

Lombardi’s Way - A column from the 24×7 founder that focuses on the Ravens, the NFL, Baltimore, the world of sports or life’s inspirations.

Battle Plans - During the season, you can expect to find thoughtful analysis in each of our Game Previews. We bring out the chalk and then talk X’s and O’s. In the offseason, Dev Panchwagh — The Scientist, digs beneath the surface and serves up insightful commentary on issues facing the Ravens and the NFL. School is in session!